In true Canadian fashion, a good lad from Thunder Bay excels in hockey, gets drafted by Kingston in the Ontario Hockey League and goes on to become ...

A Canadian Vampire?

Such is the tale of Ian Hodgkison.

He started the 1984 season with Kingston, but didn't finish the year.

Instead, Hodgkison got into rock'n'roll and drifted off to California.

From California, it wasn't a big leap to Mexico and lucha libre style wrestling in the early ninties.

Cast as El Vampiro Canadiense (Canadian Vampire), he became one of the most popular wrestlers in Mexico, and a sex symbol to boot. Most of his time was spent in EMLL and CMLL.

Despite his success and the hype surrounding him, Hodgkison never made it to the big time until a WCW tryout with WCW in June 1998. Apparently, bad blood between him and Konnan nixed his chances there.
He finally made his debut in WCW on WCW Thunder, March 18, 1999.

I have never seen him wrestle, I do not know him, I do not even know what he
looks like. But I am from Thunder Bay and to know that someone from TBay
can make it to WCW is great. I want to become a wrestler one day, and
knowing he made it, just helps me believe more.
anderson@norlink.net
I saw El Vampiro on WCW Monday Nitro ONCE, but it was enough for me to
remember...He was fighting Brad Armstrong, going back and forth, then all of
a sudden...WHAM! The Nail In The Coffin! The move looked like a Juvi-Driver
but BETTER because he did it with a SPLIT...I'm waiting to see him again...
damowyte@hotmail.com
He is the best wrestler i ever seen his look is great his moves are
excllent and his from Thunder Bay which makes him even better. I think
WCW should have kept him and got rid of Konnan cause he would have made
way more money for WCW then Konnan could ever have.
quinnfd@tbaytel.net
I've seen him wrestle in the Mexican organizations, I just gotta say the
guy is truly awesome, I don't remember who his partners and opponents
were, but I do remember him bleeding a lot in a triple tag team match,
and lots of girls screaming for him, I wish he were in the WCW or WWF,
American fans are really missing a great superstar!
A.D. Castro from El Salvador
I'm from Thunder Bay as well and even though I hadn't heard of him until
his WCW tryout, all my friends knew of him from beforehand. I guess he
even grew up on one of my buddy's streets. From what I understand, he
was hired from WCW and his debut will happen anytime between now and the
next few months. Something about his elaborate costume taking a long
time to make. I know that once he gets going he will be an awesome
superstar! As for Konnan, he is being spoiled right now with the TV
belt. They should trash that out-of-shape, over-hyped, garbage rapper.
Robert Fauvelle
It is exciting to see a fellow Canadian succeed in such a profession as
wrestling. More living proof that Canada produces awesome athletes.
Starting in hockey,testing the waters of rock and roll and then finding
himself in the sport of wrestling just goes to show us all that we can be
who ever we want to be and do what ever we want to do with our lives.
When autographing one of his calendars, Vampiro wrote "you control
your own destiny". These are words that he truly believes in and lives
by ; obviously. He has proved that being from a small town doesn't
have to limit your possibilities for a lucrative and adventurous life. If
you find that you lack opportunities because of your place of residence,
then move. Simple? I guess it depends on how bad you want
something.
I have met and observed Vampiro in Mexico City and witnessed much
of his charitable work. I did not see him once neglect a fan or push
away a childs hand who was begging for "dinero". He has adopted
Mexico as his home away from home and gives to his community with
out hesitation. He does this gladly. A positive role model for all - a
person who practices good morals.
We as Canadians would like to see him take his career to it's fullest
potential.
Freyja
Ian is an exciting wrestler, I watched a match of his in Mexico city. As
for Konnan it's true there is bad blood there but I'm sure Ian will get
his chance. I live in Toronto and teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Ian will be
dropping by to train with me in January/99. Oh yeah by the way his
sister Dawn is my girlfriend.
When I saw El Vampiro work over Brad Armstrong with the Nail in the Coffin,
I was like "I am not ready!!" I was like "this is gonna be a big pickup for
the nWo." I was really hoping that he would get a BIG BIG PUSH. WCW really
dropped the ball when they didn't put him on Nitro again.
Steven Casarano
I met El Vampiro (Ian) once while working as a statistician at a hockey
game in Thunder Bay. The assistant coach, Larry Wintoneak, knew him and
while talking with Wintoneak over some statistic, Ian walked in. He was
so friendly and introduced himself to me. I felt humbled to be able to
hear him talk about stories and to just know that someone from Thunder
Bay had done so well. At the end before he left, he told me to keep
watching for him, as some day he was going to make it big in a major
organization. It might be a few years later since this meeting, but I
was not only watching this time around on Thunder, I was recording!
R.G. Medwid
WCW is totally insane for not signing this great Canadian Kid! After
watching him make a fool outta Brad Armstrong I was convinced this gut
was the next nWo superstar. But instead WCW decides that they'd rather
have that out of shape loser that wrestles once in a blue moon Konnan.
I mean talk about dumb! And WCW wonders why they are being crushed in
the ratings. I hope that WWF saw that Nitro and signs Ian, because this
kid's got skills.
Theresa Dickson-Larke
During 1998, I got a chance to see Vampiro at a small Lucha Libre
federation in my home town of Houston,TX. It was in Galena Park and is
called the Latin Wrestling Federation. They are very good and regularly
have big name lucha talent like Hijo Del Santo, Vampiro, and Mil
Mascares. Anyway, the show I attended was headlined by Vampiro VS.
Pierreta Morgan in a hair VS. hair match. Vampiro was PHENOMENAL!! I had
already read about him being in negotiations with WCW at this time, and
I couldnt help but think "WCW better not let him get away". The match
was great, but the best part of the night was when Vampiro spotted me in
the crowd and laughed, because I was the only white guy amongst about
200 hispanics. After the matches(and a near riot), Vampiro came out and
talked to me for a bit. We talked about music mainly because he noticed
me wearing a Social Distortion shirt, and a little about wrestling. I
told him about the local music scene in Houston, and he was a very nice
guy. I hope I get to see him live again one day, but it was a great
experiance.
Frank Baugh
Of the few times I've seen him in CLL and WCW, he
strikes me as being a man for the future of WCW if they
hope steal back some of WWF's thunder. Watching him
move, it seems like he has a background in grappling (I
guess Judo or Jui-jitsu) and his Luche Libre background
is pretty obvious. With the right push, he should
become a big name in all of North America. One thought
is that he might be very well suited for the re-formed
Raven's Flock with Kanyon and Saturn. I also like his
'Nail in the Coffin,' though I ruined my old shorts
trying it out. Hopefully WCW doesn't waste him like
all the other Canadian talent.
Nightshade
I can not understand why WCW, would chose to , no longer use him on
Nitro or Thunder. They need people like him-someone who is interesting
to watch. He makes me think of Raven (Scott Levy).
I do not understand what WCW is thinking about. Nitro is going to Hell
in a hurry. They seem to be determined to lose or throw away any
wrestlers that are worth a damn. It will not be long, and what people
are calling WCW will be true (in case you don't know Wheel Chair
Wrestling)
I am so sick of Hogan and Flair I could get sick. Those two have been
fighting each other since the ark was built, and it is old and boring
beyond words.
Brenda Zellmer, Charlotte,NC
Vampiro makes true wrestling fans in Thunder Bay really pleased. It's real
sad that a lot of people from his own hometown have never heard of him, or
have just heard of him recently through his signing with WCW back in July of
1998. I myself have been following Lucha Libre for a number of years so I
always marked out whenever I saw Vampiro a Thunder Bay boy on Telelatino on
Channel 33 in Thunder Bay every Saturday afternoon. Even though he's what
some people call a 'gaijin' in Mexico, he can still draw a crowd.
Shujah Agha - Suplex Media
I've seen Vampiro seen his debut in Mexico as a "rudo" he is one of the
worst wrestlers I've seen in my life, he always gets hurt with very simple
moves and he doesn't "cooperate" with the other wrestlers, the only match I
remember that was really excitment was Vampiro vs Pirata. Now Vampiro says
Mexico is over and wants to jump to big leagues, the truth is that Vampiro
doesn't draw people anymore in Mexico. I hope he gets the big push in WCW
A fan from Mexico
I really really like the Canadian Vampire. I think he is a refreshing change form the average wrestler and he brings a little something extra to the
ring with him. Since WCW is abusing him I hope WWF picks him up cause then WCW could see whut they lost out on. But as long as he's in WCW I'm urging you all to write to them to give him more gigs in the ring because after all they are in the business to entertain us so we have to show them what we really want.
jonah"biotwist" block
I've seen the guy wrestle once and I'm sure is gonna become one of the best.
hbk2@caramail.com
The best memory I think I have of El Vampiro (Ian Hodgkinson) is when I
watched triple AAA on the spanish channel and I saw him he stood out amongst
everyone else.He was unique I liked his style the way he presented
himself.But yet to me I didnt feel like this was just another charecter that
this was a real person him just being himself like everyone does in life and
maybe thats why I become such a fan of his.I know if WCW just gives him the
chance he will proove himself time and time again.He is a fan favioret and
they should see that by the way people respond to him and how they want to
see him come out.Well that is my memory but it is just one of many.
LonleyRadu@aol.com
The first time I saw Vampiro was when a friend of mine gave me his
figure from Mexico. I couldn't wait to see him wrestle but the first time I
saw him was only last year. I like Vampiro's look and wrestling ability a
great deal. His situation also impresses me because he is Canadian and has
become a pro wrestler and to top it off he also knows Spanish. I love his
wrestling style but his interviews have really made me a fan. I personally
liked his shoot interview on the late Art Barr. I believe he is a good guy
outside the ring and he seems to be one of the most honest people as well.
I hope WCW pushes him but they probably won't sicne they have no clue what
they're doing.
guardinot@msn.com
El Vampiro Canadiense the Canadian Vampire is the best wrestler in the
whole world and I'm not just saying that because he's my brother. He is
kind hearted and a beautiful person. WCW is really wasting his time, he's
not a new guy and shouldn't be treated like one. He never turns anyone
away, he is a good soul, and has a lot of talent. He's accomplished a lot
more than anybody i know, and will always keep going on. My fondest
memories of Ian is waking him up Christmas morning and him telling me to go
back to bed, it's only 6:00 in the morning, but, he always got up anyway.
And after we had opened all our presents, he always said well, Alexis I
don't know if you want this it came straight from one of my friends Tim
Armstrong (Rancid) and I go brighter than the Christmas tree lights. He is
the best and I love him to death. So to Konnan (I know that was you) and to
all the beautiful people (freyja, I know who you are) thank you. ...
The first memories I have of El Vampiro are waking up in a hockey
championship cup and being passed around to all the players on his team and
sitting on his lap well he let me drive his car. (We crashed) he used to let
me sit on his motorcycle when I was 3 years old. He used to put pop in my
baby bottle and he used to fart on me and my friend Jen's head. He taught
me how to tie my shoes, he taught me how to ride a bike and he showed me
how to do my first front flip. He's the best. He's accomplished more than
anybody I know and he'll keep on doing it. By the way he's the best brother
in the whole world and is the most kind hearted person alive.
His sister, Alexis Hodgkinson
I think that he is way cooler than Konnan. He is very fun to watch and
his "Nail In The Coffin" if a very skillful move. I hope that El Vampiro
makes a step towards a belt and becomes very successful. I hoped a day
that the Flock is reformed now that Raven, Saturn and Kanyon a back
together and El Vampiro becomes one of the Flock Members.
From a fan....The Rock
The very first memory I have from him is when he wrestled in Mexico about
12 years ago. The moment I saw him I knew he would one day be the number
one. I know now he is one of the best. He is very handsom and I started
following his movements since then. I have his T-Shirt, and a lot of
posters, two of his calendars and I still his number one fan. He has a lot
of talent and one day he will be the number one.
Olga from Mexico
Do people in Canada not get Nitro or something? Vampiro, while he has
experienced his share of setbacks in WCW, is on in a featured position
every week on Nitro. His contract situation has been settled for a
month or more, and he will be part of WCW for years to come. ICP may be
gone, but The Misfits have more than filled their role, and his "gothic
punk" character is REALLY over with the live audiences. Vampiro has the
respect of WCW fans and promoters alike, and by all accounts is headed
for the main event soon. He's been a guest on WCW.com's internet show
about a dozen or so times -- be sure to check some of his interviews
out, they're very entertaining.
A U.S. Vampiro fan
Great wrestler he should get a push AND HE IS CANADAIN
tor.abr@home.com
The first time I saw Vampiro - i went HE'S THE BEST DAMN WRESTLER I EVER
SAW!!!
It's good to see our fellow gothics finally making waves on our favourite
show.
I'm Australian, and I can say that wrestling ain't as big as over in
Australia, but those who do like it - like it heaps!
Most people wouldn't pick me for the wrestling type - but whenever they ask
me who my favourite wrestler is - I say VAMPIRO VAMPIRO VAMPIRO.
I think his story lines need to sky rocket, and he should be the WCW
Heavyweight Champion, and be bigger then Goldberg, Hart, Sting, HOGAN.
Keep Vampiro up there guys.
vampirosbabe@hotmail.com
Vampiro is a very talented young athlete. I saw him in a house show in Jacksonville Florida, and he was great. He needs to go for a title belt I'd say he'd make a great T.V. Champion or a good U.S. Champion.
Vampiro if you see this message, keep up the good work, set some goals and more than likely you WILL achive them be cause you are that damn good.
If I ever make it to WCW I would be honored to team up with you and win the tag team titles.
Oh and for the other people reading the reason I just said that is because I'm training to be a wrestler, I don't know if I will make it big or not but if I do and I happen to go to the WCW, I'll love to team up with a talent like Vampiro.
Aaron Hudson, Daragonic@aol.com
I think Vampiro is the best wrestler in the world and should be U.S. Champion or World Champion. He has a cult
following even larger than Benoit and he is better than Benoit. Vampiro can be a ratings draw for WCW and he has been a
ratings draw the past few months on Nitro. I would like to see him in a program with Jeff Jarrett(who my second favorite
wrestler in the world), Sid Vicious, Goldberg(that would be cool), and some other big names.
Michael Dulevskis
I saw Vampiro on T.V. 4 the first time when he beat the CRAP outta either
Brad or Scott Armstrong on Nitro with the nail in the coffin.I also like
Misfitz like him.I think he should win some beltz cause he could beat the
CRAP outta WCW or go 2 da WWF or E C DUB! see yaz.oh yeah i'm from texas
Footbolnut@aol.com
I saw Vampiro for the first time when he first came on wrestling with his gang and that was so cool. Vampiro is the best there was and the best there ever will be and I love Campiro so so so much. He is the best and the best looking one out of all the wrestlers. Yeah Vampiro
dagwood3@hotmail.com
Well I love El Vampiro Casanova, what can I say I'm
from Mexico and I've been watching Vamp ever since
like 91 or something I'm not so sure. Well even when I
was little in my town or in Mexico City or in
Guadalajara Mexico I'd go see him, my aunt was in love
with him so we had to see all his matches and well let
me just say according to me he is by far one of the
best wrestlers ever. So let me just say Vampiro
Candadiense you are the "Whole F'n Show" and have
been for a long while now and believe me I've followed
your carrer for some time. I was so happy when you moved
to WCW because I would get to see you again, but they
have sorta messed you up, but I know you'll come back you're
still the man under my eyes. Well laters.
Ivan Martinez
I'm a boy from Germany and my American is not very good.
Vampiro is the greatest Wrestler all over world! We make in this time
a Vampiro-fanclub! In Germany Ian is very popular!
Chris THE UNDEATH
All I can say is thank God Vampiro's finally getting the push he
deserves. I thought it was a huge waste of time for him in the beginning
when WCW totally babied Konnan and pushed Vampiro to the sidelines.
He's one of the cooler wrestlers I watch on Nitro and Thunder. Come to
think of it, he's one of the very few reasons I watch either show.
Anyways, it would have been better for him to form a tag team with Demon
instead of The Great Muta. No offence to Muta fans, but I think Vampiro
and Demon have a connection that seems to be missing with Muta. I would
love for Vampiro, however, to become champion someday. For a guy with
his size and technique, it shouldn't be too far off in the distance.
Way to go Vampiro! You're making your Canadian fans very proud. Hmmm,
maybe that's why he's so good in the ring... because he's Canadian!:)
Lisa Roberts, tntlisa@hotmail.com
I remember when WCW got some smarts and brought back El Vampiro but as
Vampiro and that was when the Insane Clown Posse came to WCW and Raven
returned then they had that little no-named stable which was my favorite
stable at the time. I wish they would of made it the FLock but anyways,
Vampiro is the greatest. I'm not a Canadian but I agree the Canadian Native
from Thunder Bay,Ontario is the best in the world my favourite wrestler was
HHH till Vampiro came back to WCW and since then he's been my favorite. Ian
and his great finisher the Nail in the Coffin will someday capture gold
hopefully the WCW heavyweight championship. I know a lot of stuff about him
well according to the articles in magazines 'cause I by a lot of the magazines
with articles of Ian in it. I bought a 10 dollar magazine just for an
article of Ian. I wish I knew more 'cause Ian is my hero!
Crazy C
I first saw vampiro just going threw my TV but his strange dressing style and wrestling moves. Really got me to like wrestling and now I am hooked. He is a great wrestler and I hope this isn't the last I'll be seeing of him in WCW, like the rumors say.
Marie2567@aol.com
I remember him as EL Vampiro he was realy great. I remember when he got
into a grudge with Sting ,even though I liked Sting better than
Vampiro, Vampiro was using a lot of speed to beat Sting. That was the best
thing I liked about him. You know what I wanna know? Why Vampiro quit. That's
what I Heard and if he got fired that I realy wanna know. I mean they
sould have fired Lance Storm or Mike Awesome. But if they would they
should bring Vampiro back.
muhammedt@juno.com
I saw him first time on WCW about a year ago. Well, he had some kind of mystery in his eyes. He was pretty cool. I like him. He is a great wrestler. After Bret Hart left WCW Vampiro is the the best. He is my boyfriend's favourite wrestler. Thank you Vampiro!!! You're the best
Tigerlily
Vampiro was the best thing in WCW... the dark carnival was the best
angle WCW has ever had and I don't care what all of you other people say,
Vampiro kicks ass and everyone knows it...
Chris Mackay
I know Ian and I saw his really first match ever. It was for the International Wrestling, a television match. His first contact with wrestling was face to face with Abdullah The Butcher at the Sault Ste.Marie arena in Ontario. At this time Ian was green like a real green bean. Also at this really same time, I eet him and a real new story began between us. I was in charge of International Wrestling on the road and he was on my side, working...to learn how tough is the business. I lost contact with him in 1984. Then I was surffing on the net
and I found the Vampiro site. Then when I realized the Vampire's real name, I saw two good years of my past pass through. If Ian ever read this e-mail, I just hope you to remember me.
Louis 'The Farmer' Laurence
So - I'm not really a wrestling fan - but I know Vampiro via ICP and having a look at the WCW to check out, I found he's too much a sweetie for a gimmick like that.
Kisses from Germany, Gabriele
My name is Stu Andrews and im a big Vampiro fan. Ever since I started watching him on WCW programing I became a fan, and even more of a fan when ICP joined with him. Last September I attended Monday Nitro in Kitchener, Ontario. All I wanted to do was see Vampiro wrestle, I even bought his t- shirt. I saw him wrestle Mike Awesome in a hardcore match,
he was powerbombed through a table right in front of me. That was one of the last Vampiros last matches because of his concussions. I'm the biggest fan of Vampiro.
Stu Andrews
I just want to know it's cool he is down with the clowns for the best band in
the world, Insane Clown Posse.
Ryan
I first started seeing him on WCW Saturday night and then I saw him on
Nitro. He had some really cool theme music. But when ICP came to WCW and
formed the dead pool with him is when I really became a huge fan. Then they
formed the dark carnival and then Vampiro had finally had enough of WCW and
left. I support Ian on that. Vampiro 4 life! Now he is in JCW. J-C-Dub!
J-C-Dub! Juggalo!
KigaMkcalB@cs.com
Well everyone talks about how WCW got rid of Vampiro. Well, I have talked to Vampiro in person & he was glad to leave WCW. He hated WCW. He left to go with his boys ICP to JCW where he is actually given what he is promised. Vampiro is the proudest independent wrestler I have ever met & he hates himself for ever joining WCW. WCW did things to him like they promised him a 9 month feud with Sting. but Sting backed out of the feud because Vampiro is
too stiff for him. Basically Sting couldn't take Vampiro so he along with some
other people got together against him & that spelled his end in WCW. Vampiro is the realest down to earth star I have ever met. He gives everything for the Juggalos.
Juggalosmog@aol.com
I love Vampiro he is the most popular wrestlers in the world
Sincerely, Jason, San Antonio, TX, USA